When someone we love passes away, finding meaningful ways to keep their memory close can bring genuine comfort. Custom remembrance gifts offer a tangible connection to those we’ve lost, something personal we can hold, wear, or display that honours their unique life and our relationship with them.
At Go Direct Cremations, we understand that grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and neither should memorialisation. Our direct cremation service gives families the freedom to honour loved ones in their own way, without the time pressures of a traditional funeral. For many, that includes choosing thoughtful keepsakes that capture something special about the person they’ve lost, whether that’s weeks, months, or even years after the cremation itself.
This guide explores five types of custom remembrance gifts available in the UK, from personalised jewellery to engraved memorial plaques. Each offers a lasting, meaningful tribute that you can create at your own pace, in your own time.
1. Keepsake urn or ashes jewellery
Among custom remembrance gifts, ashes jewellery offers one of the most intimate ways to keep someone close. These pieces allow you to carry a small portion of cremated remains (or a lock of hair) in a pendant, bracelet, or ring, creating a discreet yet deeply personal connection you can wear every day.
Why people choose it
Many people find comfort in keeping their loved one physically near. Ashes jewellery provides that presence without being obvious to others, which matters when you want something private and personal. You can wear it during difficult moments, touch it when you need reassurance, or simply know it’s there as you go about your day.
"Wearing a keepsake piece transforms grief into something tangible and comforting, giving you a quiet connection whenever you need it."
Best personalisation options
Most UK suppliers offer engraving on the pendant or charm itself, typically including names, dates, short messages, or symbols like hearts or infinity signs. Some pieces feature birthstone accents in your loved one’s birth month colour, or you can choose from different metals (sterling silver, gold-plated, or solid gold) to match your style and budget.
What you need to provide
You’ll need to supply a small amount of ashes (usually just a pinch, around half a teaspoon) or a lock of hair. Reputable sellers provide a funnel kit and clear instructions for filling the compartment yourself, or they’ll handle the filling if you prefer to post the ashes directly to them with appropriate documentation.
Typical UK price range
Expect to pay £30 to £150 for sterling silver pieces, while solid gold options can cost £200 to £500 or more. The price varies based on the metal, design complexity, and whether you add gemstones or detailed engraving.
Ordering tips and turnaround
Check that the piece has a secure screw closure or threaded seal to prevent loss. Standard delivery typically takes two to three weeks, though some UK-based makers offer rush services. Always verify their returns policy, particularly if the fit or style doesn’t feel right when it arrives.
2. Engraved memorial jewellery
Unlike ashes jewellery, engraved memorial pieces don’t contain physical remains but instead carry meaningful inscriptions that celebrate your loved one’s life. These traditional keepsakes include pendants, bracelets, rings, and lockets that you can personalise with names, dates, fingerprints, or special messages that capture who they were.
Why people choose it
You might prefer engraved jewellery if the idea of carrying ashes feels too personal, or if you want multiple family members to have their own piece. These items work particularly well when you want something elegant and discreet that looks like everyday jewellery while holding deep private meaning.
Best personalisation options
Most UK jewellers offer hand or computer engraving on the front, back, or inside of pieces. You can add full names, initials, dates, coordinates of a special place, or short phrases. Some also incorporate actual handwriting or fingerprints etched onto the metal surface.
What you need to provide
You’ll typically submit text for engraving through an online form or email. For handwriting or fingerprint pieces, you’ll need to provide clear scanned images or use templates the jeweller supplies.
Typical UK price range
Sterling silver pieces start around £25 to £80, while gold options range from £150 to £400 depending on the weight and karat.
Ordering tips and turnaround
Request a digital proof before engraving to check spelling and placement. Standard turnaround runs one to two weeks, though some jewellers offer express services for urgent needs.
3. Personalised photo memory box
Photo memory boxes give you a dedicated place to store physical mementoes that capture your loved one’s life, from photographs and letters to small treasured items. These wooden or metal keepsakes can be engraved with personal details, creating a beautiful display piece that holds everything meaningful in one secure place.
Why people choose it
You might want a memory box when you have multiple items to preserve rather than just one photograph or object. These boxes provide a practical and decorative solution that you can keep on display or store privately, offering a tangible collection you can revisit whenever you need connection or comfort.
Best personalisation options
UK suppliers typically offer laser engraving on the lid with names, dates, meaningful quotes, or decorative symbols. Some boxes feature photo slots or windows on the exterior, letting you display a favourite image alongside the engraved text. You can also choose different wood types (oak, walnut, pine) or metal finishes.
What you need to provide
You’ll need to submit text for engraving and potentially a digital photograph if the design includes a photo window or printed insert.
Typical UK price range
Wooden boxes start around £20 to £60, while larger or premium hardwood options cost £80 to £150.
Ordering tips and turnaround
Measure your items beforehand to ensure they’ll fit comfortably. Most UK makers complete orders within one to two weeks, with faster options available for additional fees.
4. Custom memorial garden stone or plaque
Garden stones and plaques create a permanent outdoor memorial where you can reflect and remember. These weatherproof markers let you dedicate a specific spot in your garden, a favourite park bench, or another meaningful outdoor location to your loved one’s memory.
Why people choose it
You might prefer a garden memorial if your loved one spent time outdoors or if you want a dedicated space for quiet reflection. These pieces transform an ordinary garden corner into a meaningful memorial spot where you can sit, think, and feel connected to the person you’ve lost.
"A garden stone creates a lasting, peaceful space for remembrance that becomes part of your daily landscape."
Best personalisation options
UK suppliers offer laser or hand engraving with names, dates, verses, or symbols like roses, butterflies, or religious icons. You can choose from natural stone, slate, or composite materials in various shapes and sizes.
What you need to provide
You’ll submit engraving text and select your preferred design elements from the supplier’s templates or custom artwork.
Typical UK price range
Small plaques start at £15 to £40, while larger garden stones cost £50 to £200 depending on size and material quality.
Ordering tips and turnaround
Check the stone’s weather resistance rating and fixing method (stake, wall mount, or ground placement). Most UK makers deliver within two to three weeks.
5. Handwriting and fingerprint keepsakes
Fingerprint and handwriting keepsakes transform your loved one’s unique physical marks into permanent jewellery or display pieces. These custom remembrance gifts capture something genuinely irreplaceable: the actual loops and whorls of their fingerprint, or the distinctive flow of their handwriting, preserved in silver, gold, or engraved onto glass or ceramic.
Why people choose it
You might choose these keepsakes when you want something unmistakably personal that no one else could replicate. A fingerprint or signature becomes a one-of-a-kind identifier that captures your loved one’s physical presence in a way photos or text alone cannot match.
"Fingerprint keepsakes preserve the unique physical essence of someone, creating a connection that feels remarkably intimate and real."
Best personalisation options
UK makers typically offer fingerprints etched onto pendants, cufflinks, or charm bracelets, or handwriting engraved onto rings and necklaces. You can combine fingerprints with names or dates, or use actual handwritten messages from cards, letters, or signatures.
What you need to provide
You’ll need a clear scan or photograph of the fingerprint (from an inked print or clean surface) or handwriting sample. Some suppliers work from prints taken at funeral homes.
Typical UK price range
Silver pieces cost £40 to £120, while gold options range from £200 to £500.
Ordering tips and turnaround
Submit the clearest possible image to ensure accurate reproduction. Most UK jewellers complete orders within two to three weeks.
Next steps
Choosing custom remembrance gifts gives you control over how and when you honour someone special. You don’t need to rush these decisions during the overwhelming days immediately after a loss, and the right keepsake often reveals itself when you’ve had time to think about what truly captures your loved one’s spirit.
At Go Direct Cremations, we provide families with exactly that time and space. Our direct cremation service handles all the practical arrangements with care and professionalism, giving you the freedom to create meaningful tributes at your own pace. Whether that means selecting ashes jewellery, commissioning a garden stone, or planning a celebration of life months later, the choice stays entirely yours.
If you’re considering a simpler, more flexible approach to cremation that puts memorialisation back in your hands, learn more about our direct cremation service and how we support families across England, Scotland, and Wales.